Fierce loyalty: (l-r) Akash Heer, Lucie Shorthouse, Ashraf Ejjbair, Shalini Peiris and Gary Wood. Photo: Robert Day
Theatre: Theatre Royal Stratford East
Play: The House of In Between
Playwright: Sevan K. Greene
Director: Pooja Ghai
Review by Snehal Amembal
The House of In Between transports you to the by-lanes of Patna, Eastern India, and introduces us to the world of the Hijra community. Hijras or chakkas, as they are commonly known, are India’s third gender who only gained legal recognition in 2014.
Playwright Sevan K. Greene has penned a riveting story highlighting how the Hijra community is marginalised, ostracised and, in some cases, worshipped. The complexity of which is demonstrated with great poignancy by Uma (a very convincing Esh Alladi), the leader of a Hijra clan, and Shakti (Gary Wood).
A captivating opening sees Uma directing a dance sequence in their home, in preparation for an event. Set against innovate lighting, and fervent Bollywood music, the narration reveals the mythological origin of the Hijra. This contrasts sharply with the dour and basic nature of their living arrangements: a jute cot and trunks contain their belongings.
Their perfected mannerisms and use of overt gestures and exaggerated facial expressions are beautiful, yet tragic as they know their identity as Hijras is often misunderstood and feared by wider society.
As outsiders in Indian society, they are forced to dance, sing and bless people at major events to earn a living. But this is not enough to live off, and we see them being forced to diversify their revenue streams by taking up work viewed as “disgraceful” in Indian culture, such as begging and prostitution.
Unfortunately, this attracts the unwanted attention of the police who exploit their financial vulnerability and lowly social standing to extract bribes from them which they do to avoid them being arrested.
Each character in the Hijra clan reflects a different personality type: the authoritarian leader, the rebel, the endearing one, the voice of reason and finally, the one that’s misunderstood. Their contrasting personalities allow us a glimpse into the lives of each member and reveals how rules regulate their lives.
Group norms and rules are an important part of the Hijra culture. Members who dare to deviate from them are swiftly dealt with; loyalty is key. When Uma sternly warns her clan against rebellion and speaks of “Izzat” or respect, she does so with such conviction and passion that you want to nod your head rapidly in firm agreement.
Pooja Ghai’s production conjures up the sounds and smells of India. Using visuals and vivid sound effects, you are left with the flavour of a bustling Indian city: honking cars, silhouettes of a crowd, the projected image of an old terrace building and the liberal use of incense sticks.
Then there’s the emotion – lots of it. Love, anger, resentment, competition, jealousy and learning how to live as one functioning unit are never far away from the surface. Jealousy harboured by Shakti towards Dev, the clan’s newest addition (Lucie Shorthouse), the relationship between Shakti and Mukesh (Vikash Bhai) her ‘husband’ under Hijra rites, and Amrita’s (Ashraf Ejjbar) explanation of the Hijra’s sexual desires, creates some very intense and thought-provoking scenes.
Although the script is engaging, with a smattering of Hindi terms, at times the dialogue is a tad emphatic. Also the risk of using solitary Hindi words, such as when Uma asks Dev to address her as “Nayak” (leader), is that a non-Hindi speaker won’t necessarily appreciate the significance of a hierarchy within the clan.
The ensemble performance is impactful, and it’s hard not to empathise with the emotional upheavals the Hijras’ experience. One piece of dialogue which will stay with me for a very long time is when Uma says in a matter of fact way: “We are neither here nor there.”
This play deserves a longer run and a wider audience as it puts the spotlight on an often feared and neglected Indian clan. It’s heartening to know that the Hijra community is very slowly attaining the right to integrate into the Indian mainstream.
Shabnam Mausi created ripples on the Indian political scene when she was the first Hijra to be elected to a state legislative assembly in 1998. While 2015 saw India’s first Hijra mayor, as well as the publication of an autobiography – Me Hijra, Me Laxmi – by India’s much loved transgender activist Laxmi Narayan Tripathi.
The House of In Between has created another step towards wider recognition and acceptance.
The House of In Between is at Theatre Royal Stratford East until 30 April 2016.